Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2025

Badge for MOST AFFORDABLE COLLEGES IN HAWAII
By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski
Published:
Updated:

Here are the most affordable colleges and universities in Hawaii. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you, at a price you can afford.

Key Takeaways

  • Hawaii’s most affordable colleges offer competitive tuition rates along with robust financial aid packages, including grants and scholarships specifically aimed at making education accessible to local students and those from underrepresented backgrounds.
  • The colleges in our ranking provide practical, career-oriented degrees in fields like healthcare, business, and technology, helping students quickly enter the workforce with relevant skills while keeping education costs manageable.
  • Many of the best affordable colleges in Hawaii offer flexible scheduling and online course options, allowing students to balance work, family, and education, which is especially appealing to working students and those seeking cost-effective ways to complete their degrees.

Top 10 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii in 2025

  1. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
  2. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
  3. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
  4. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
    +1
  5. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
    –1

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the most affordable colleges in Hawaii remained fairly stable. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu gained a ranking position as the university introduced several notable improvements aimed at enhancing student experience and academic success. The campus now features an upgraded Digital Media Complex, providing state-of-the-art facilities for creative and technology-focused majors.

Additionally, the university has expanded its sustainability initiatives with a new Environmental Studies program that includes hands-on projects in renewable energy and Hawaiian land stewardship, appealing to students interested in environmental impact. A new career services hub has also been established, connecting students with local businesses for internships and job placements, further preparing them for Hawaii’s workforce.

There are 5 colleges and universities in Hawaii with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in Hawaii is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.

Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii

These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.

  1. #1

    University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

    Honolulu , HI
    #1 Best Research Universities in Hawaii 2025 #1 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #1 Best Grad Schools in Hawaii 2025 #1 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    73%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    22K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1180/21

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

    Cost of Degree: $12,186
    Expenses: $20,145
    Starting Salary: $51,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa known for?

    University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Online Degrees

    BA in Economics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Human Relations In Organizations
    • Social Sciences Of Oceans
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSW in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Women'S, Gender, And Sexuality Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  2. #2

    University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

    Hilo , HI
    #2 Best Research Universities in Hawaii 2025 #2 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #2 Best Grad Schools in Hawaii 2025 #3 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/18

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

    Cost of Degree: $7,838
    Expenses: $13,584
    Starting Salary: $41,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo known for?

    University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s Online Degrees

    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  3. #3

    Brigham Young University–Hawaii

    Laie , HI
    #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #3 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #5 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    34%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1129/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Brigham Young University–Hawaii

    Cost of Degree: $6,438
    Expenses: $19,386
    Starting Salary: $49,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Brigham Young University–Hawaii known for?

    Brigham Young University–Hawaii’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  4. #4

    University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu

    Kapolei , HI
    #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #4 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #6 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Hawaii
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    33%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1110/19

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu

    Cost of Degree: $7,584
    Starting Salary: $41,100
    What is University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu known for?

    University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • General Business
    • Accounting
    • Hospitality And Tourism
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Disaster Preparedness And Emergency Management
    • Justice Administration
    • Community Health
    • General Public Administration
    • Healthcare Administration
    • Long-Term Care
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Social Sciences
    Degree Concentrations
    • Early Childhood Education
    • Political Science
    • Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  6. #5

    University of Hawaiʻi Maui College

    Kahului , HI
    #3 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #7 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Hawaii
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Hawaiʻi Maui College

    Cost of Degree: $3,284
    Starting Salary: $34,200
    What is University of Hawaiʻi Maui College known for?

    University of Hawaiʻi Maui College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    University of Hawaiʻi Maui College’s Online Degrees

    BS in Applied Business And Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
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Hawaii’s Most Affordable Colleges in Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology
2021 Ranking Archive
  1. University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
  2. Brigham Young University–Hawaii
  3. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu
  4. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
  5. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
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